 and   Norfolk Section The Britannia and Castle |
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| LANGUAGE -YOU DIC HEAD ! Way back in the past non-life of the Norfolk Editor, while a schoolmaster (before sense was seen, early retirement and 3 Operational Tours in Bosnia), computers were new in schools. Returning from a HQ 19 Mech Bde Ex he reported to a lady colleague he had progressed, as one of few in Bde HQ who understood computers. Previously assigned to look after the Wavell thingy, a massive and unfriendly piece of kit, it was superseded by DICS (Digital Integrated Command System). So the Norfolk Editor acquired the title in Bde HQ as the ‘Dic Head’. Meryl commented: ‘Why were all computer terms coined by men? Floppy and hard disc, hardware, software, joystick and now Dics!’ It is good to hear that 1 R Anglian are the first Infantry Bn to adopt the new Bowman radio system. B&C 101 |
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| ST TRINIAN'S At a Norfolk ACF Camp Lt Gary Bagge was sporting a new tie, obtained on a visit with his cadets to 52 Niagara Bty 4 Fd Regt RA in BAOR. Admiring the purple and yellow colours, Maj Jimmy Keywood, OC Cadet Norfolk Artillery Bty (Former 1 R Anglian. Ed), observed: ‘It’s like the St Trinians tie!’ B&C 101 |
| ANNUAL REPORT Capt Gerry Gandon, former PSAO (Permanent Staff Admin Offr) to A (Royal Norfolk Coy, 6 R Anglian) and now Norfolk ACF Offrs Mess Secretary, (Master Forger 1997-2003 of the PMC’s signature on bar chits - one Norfolk Editor) reckoned the annual report on an officer of his acquaintance should have included: ‘Retaining this man in the army is depriving an English community of a village idiot.’ B&C 101 |
| BRIAN FULLER A call came from Brian Fuller, 01202 730883, ex-4 R Norfolk and subsequently a 22-year man in the Regular Army Royal Signals. He is now a RBL Standard Bearer and is willing to appear at any Dorset/Hants events which require a presence. He serves on as a CSM with Hants & IOW ACF. Asking if he knew the Sen Dep Comdt, Lt Col Mike Vokes TD and 4 Bras, with whom the Norfolk Editor served in Bosnia, the line went silent. 'Yes, while I was entering an ACF Camp he let the barrier fall on the bonnet of my car!' B&C 101 |
WHERE IS ALMANZA? |
| MAJ DAVID CLARKE When Maj David Clarke was a Pl Comd at Sandhurst he was instrumental in persuading OCdt MJD Walker to reconsider becoming a Scalyback and instead join the Royal Norfolks. Just as well because that OCdt is now Chief of the Defence Staff, Gen Sir Michael Walker GCB CMG CBE ADC Gen! Thanks, David. Maj David
Clarke took over as RSO from the Late Sir David Thorne, handing on
to Brig Mike Thorne
but re-assumed the appointment in Guyana. |
EAST NORFOLK
REGT COLOURS |
| RAILWAY OF DEATH Capt Tom Higgs wrote for the address of Lt Col Reggie Burton after reading his book ‘Railway of Death’, reviewed in B&C 99. ‘I shared many of his experiences in those dark days of WW2 and wish to send a letter of appreciation.’ (Readers will be sad to hear that Mrs Emily Burton died peacefully in Torbay Hospital, on 20 Jun 2003 and Col Reggie Burton died on 12 Oct 2003. Click here for the obituaries. Ed.) B&C 101 |
| ARTHUR ELLIS B&C 100 carried an appeal from Peter Suffolk for memories of Arthur Ellis. Maj John Knox Forte was appointed Adjt in Jun 1940 of the re-formed 7th Bn in Nottingham. Moving to Grimsby for the winter they were joined by Arthur who had a reputation as an outstanding footballer so John appointed him i/c football. ‘One day Arthur entered my office and proudly announced he had arranged a fixture against Grimsby Town, then a 2nd Division side, albeit somewhat depleted. My heart sank at the prospect of a humiliating slaughter to the jibes of the spectators. After all, it seemed tantamount to the local Home Guard taking on a Panzer Division. My heart sank even further when Arthur enquired at what position I played. In my youth I had captained Sandhurst and later steered the 2nd Bn into the 3 round of the Army Cup. But I had hung up my boots 2 years earlier! "Centre forward", I lied, knowing that in that position I could not be mocked for the spate of goals against us. However, we achieved a miraculous result, enjoying a respectable 4-1 defeat thanks to the charity and generosity of our opponents and a superb performance by Arthur at centre-half. At that time the 7th Bn, was, in its way, the most remarkable unit in the British Army. We had Lt Col ‘Boy’ Clowes as CO, the youngest CO at 39; Capt David Jamieson, at 20 the youngest Coy Commander; Capt G May Creasey (father of Gen Sir Tim Creasey) the oldest Coy Commander at 46 and Capt Peter Barclay, later Brig, who had won the first MC of WW2. Of 32 officers one would be awarded the VC and 3 the DSO. Some record !’ John apologised for his atrocious handwriting but has only the use of one arm - and one leg! In 1996 John was made a Life Member of the MCC. And see below his 1936 Cricket photograph. He wonders if he is the doyen - a term he has not seen used for 20 years - commissioned in Aug 1935. (Why was Brig FP Clowes known as ‘Boy’ ? Ed.) See B&C 102 Jun 04 for an answer! Please send any more information on Arthur Ellis to Peter Suffolk peterandalison@psuffolk.freeserve.co.uk and copy it to the Norfolk Section Editor. B&C 101 |
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| JACK SEMPER AND D-DAY Jack Semper of Southery was at D-Day as a 223 Fd Amb Stretcher Bearer, attached to the Royal Norfolks, when they used a stretcher carrying jeep. Joining at Britannia Bks, where Jack says he was a slip of a lad, he knew Revd Jimmy Green. B&C 101 |
| CYRIL CRAIN ON D-DAY B&C 100 Jun 03 p N14 carried a piece about Sgt Freddy Harris QOR Canada, kia on D-Day 1944, and correspondence between his sister-in-law and Cyril Crain, who wrote the poem ‘My Buddy’, published in B&C 93 Dec 99. Cyril was a wireless operator with UK 19 Beach Signal Sqn, Combined Operations. In Jun 1943 he was attached to QOR in preparation for the invasion of France. From the QOR journal: ‘We boarded our ship, an armed merchant cruiser converted to an LSI (Landing Ship Infantry). The invasion date was 5 Jun but, owing to the atrocious weather conditions, it was delayed for 24 hrs. Even then, the weather didn’t improve much. We knew it was France as we had been paid in francs. Of our beach signal section, only myself and a Sgt were accompanying the QOR assault tps. Another 7 of the section were to follow later. Reveille was at 0330 hrs and before breakfast we lined up for our rum ration. Then it was Absolution and a short service conducted by the Canadian Padre. We then boarded our LCA (Landing Craft Assault). In that stormy weather and heavy swell it was a very risky situation. It was a case of climbing down the scrambling net and judging when to drop into the LCA. You can imagine the ship rolling one way and the LCA the other. If not timed accurately, it was possible to drop between the two and be crushed to death. In any case, you wouldn’t survive in that heavy sea, unable to ditch your 50 lbs of equipment plus a 46 wireless set. Seated along the sides of the LCA, under a steel overhang 30" wide, warship guns pounded the coast and rockets illuminated the sky, replacing the air force softening-up of the shore defences. By this time things were really hotting up with shells and bullets splattering around. Ahead were concrete pyramids, angle iron set in concrete with mines affixed and barbed wire. Despite the rough seas, somehow we squeezed between pointed metal staves, capable of ripping out the bottom of landing craft. Many LCAs were not so lucky and there were many casualties. The came the shout: ‘Down doors!’ We raced down the ramp to find ourselves up to the waist in water. Wading ashore, we ran to the high sea wall, where all hell broke loose with machine gun fire from beyond. Not being a good sailor I was however relieved to be on dry land. Once over the wall we met the coastal railway line with more barbed wire obstacles and mines. I count myself very lucky to have survived both the assault and the rest of the war. In Normandy there are many cemeteries containing thousands of graves of allied servicemen. Freddy Harris, ‘My Buddy’, was one of those casualties.’ The Queen’s Own Rifles site is at www.qor.com In June 2004, 60 years on, Cyril plans to re-visit Normandy and attend the unveiling of the Juno Beach Memorial and pay his respects at the grave of Freddy Harris. Click here for a 1944 photograph of D-Day Norfolks Landing B&C 101 |
| BRITANNIA - BY THE LEFT! CEO Norfolk ACF Maj David Whitehead, asked if the next batch of NACF Sports Bras, err, Brassards, ordered should have Britannia facing left. A reply, from the NACF Webmaster, said: ‘There is indeed a traditional significance in Britannia facing left as that is how the cap badge is seen. The 2 collar dogs, naturally faced inwards. That is, unless your name is Lt Pat P... oops... when you wear them facing outwards. See the photograph in the Norwich TAC Offrs Mess!’ B&C 101 |
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Editorial Rule However, the rules of good taste, respect and confidentiality are always applied. |
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Raybould TD |
B&C Norfolk Editor